Los Angeles Kings | CollegeHockeyPlayers

10Jul

Patrick Mullen(14) Vancouver Canucks

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4th year, undrafted defenseman Patrick Mullen(14) tries his hand with a new team for 2012/2013, signing a one-year, two-way deal with Vancouver Canucks that will in all likelihood start him with their affiliate Chicago Wolves. He was an unrestricted free agent as of July 1.

He’s coming off his best AHL season yet with Manchester Monarchs that saw him put up more goals, assists and points in one year (13 + 28 – 41) than he did in his first two combined. Plus, he skated in 69 games, which eclipsed his previous high by a couple.

Initially signed to a 2-year entry level contract with Los Angeles Kings in 2009, the 5’10” 184 lbs. blue liner could still use some extra weight to throw around out there but has obviously spent some quality time improving his offensive capabilities.

It will be interesting to see what he does in a new conference and if he can score his first NHL call-up.

He is the son of three time Stanley Cup Champion and Hockey Hall Of Fame defenseman, Joe Mullen.

08Jun

Justin Azevedo(15) Lukko

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Los Angeles Kings‘ 6th round pick in the 2008 draft (#153 overall) center Justin Azevedo(15) will be taking his restricted free agent status to Finland, joining Lukko of the SM-liiga.

Although the deal is done, they have to wait until after the Kings‘ battle in the Stanley Cup Finals is over to announce it. There’s a bit of irony in there too, as he’s one of L.A.’s “Black Aces” practicing with the team as they push towards the finish.

The 5’7″ 172 lbs. forward leaves never having skated in an NHL game over four seasons with the team’s minor leaugue affiliate Manchester Monarchs.

He has played in 271 AHL regular and postseason games scoring 79 goals and 108 assists. He had a career-year for goals scored with 28 in 2011/2012.

The 24-year always worked hard out there despite his smaller size and was probably a bit overlooked for at least a few games at the end of a season test-run in the big league.

05Jun

Brandon Segal(26) Norfolk Admirals

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9th year Norfolk Admirals‘ veteran right wing Brandon Segal(26) is the perfect old school presence the team needs on the ice and in the locker room to help stabilize the mostly young group of players as they continue their push for a first Calder Cup Championship in 12 AHL seasons.

He was obtained in a minor league deal back in February for his second stint with the organization. He skated in 91 games with them just a couple of year ago from 2008 – 2009.

The soon to be 29-year old has played in 454 regular and postseason games including a trip to the finals with the other Admirals, Milwaukee in 2006.

He has appeared in 102 NHL games (11 goals, 11 assists) with 4 different teams including making his first appearance and most recent with the same team, Tampa Bay Lightning. In 12 games with the Bolts he’s yet to tally on the scoresheet.

Originally a 4th round pick by Nashville Predators in the 2002 draft (#102 overall), it’s unclear at the moment what will be next for the as of July 1 soon to be unrestricted free agent.

29Apr

Dustin Tokarski(34) & Martin Jones(31)

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Norfolk Admirals‘ 3rd year goalie Dustin Tokarski(34) and Manchester Monarchs‘ 2nd year net minder Martin Jones(31) exchange handshakes at the conclusion of their AHL Calder Cup Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

Jones sat his first playoff game of the series but was the goaltender on record for the previous three contests, including a Monarchs‘ 5-2 win in game 2, the Admirals‘ 1st loss after 29 straight victories that started back on February 10. Almost appears like Tokarski is giving him a nod with the shake for that win.

The 22-year old Tokarski has one more year left on his 3-year entry level contract. It’s very possible that the 5’11” 198 lbs. backstop could compete for the starter job with Tampa Bay Lightning next season. He showed flashes of brilliance in 5 games in 2011/2012, despite only one win.

11Apr

Trent Hunter(47) Manchester Monarchs

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12-year veteran of 497 NHL games, right wing Trent Hunter(47) was reassigned by Los Angeles Kings to their AHL affiliate Manchester Monarchs in mid-February after skating in 38 games and only putting up a pair of goals and 5 assists.

It’s his first stint in the minors since the 2002/2003 season.

He spent 10 years with New York Islanders starting in 2001, scoring 99 goals and 130 assists.

Originally drafted by Anaheim Ducks in the 6th round of the 1998 draft (#150 overall), the 6’3″ 210 lbs., 31-year old never skated a game with the team before being traded in 2000 to the Isles.

In 17 games with the Monarchs‘ he has 4 goals and 5 assists but most notably will be a leadership asset to the team if they complete their bid for a Calder Cup Playoff spot in the upcoming postseason.

10Mar

Patrick O’Sullivan(16) Peoria Rivermen

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One time Minnesota Wild 2nd round pick in the 2oo3 draft (#56 overall) 7th year left wing Patrick O’Sullivan(16) gets bounced from one AHL team, Portland Pirates, to another, Peoria Rivermen in a offensive-minded forward swap.

He played 23 NHL games with Phoenix Coyotes scoring a pair of goals and assists before last being reassigned to the Pirates in early January. He put up 10 goals and 20 assists in 26 games but went a -6 plus/minus on a pretty good team.

In each of his last 6 seasons, he’s appeared in NHL games, 334 of them. He’s basically a point per every other game producer with 58 goals and 103 assists. In 183 AHL games his stats are 97 goals and 120 assists, better than a point per game. 3 goals and 4 assists of that are in 3 contests since the trade that brought him to the Rivermen.

He lists at 5’11” 189 lbs., which seems a little light. He doesn’t play a very physical game. It’s all about getting into those open spaces and creating them in his style.

He’s either got to turn on those jets or play with a bit more of an edge while scoring those goals and setting up those assists. Make sure that helmet’s on tight.

02Mar

Linden Vey(9) Manchester Monarchs

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Manchester Monarchs‘ rookie right wing Linden Vey(9) proved he could put up points almost at will in juniors and jumps to the pro ranks mostly retaining those abilities.

In 57 AHL games he has 17 goals and 19 assists with a steady +9 plus/minus and minimal penalty minutes.

He was originally a Los Angeles Kings 4th round pick in 2009 (#96 overall).

Listed at 6′ 187 lbs. he doesn’t seem quite that big but digs in every time he’s out on the ice.

For the month of February, he was chosen as the AHL Rookie Of The Month putting up 6 goals and 8 assists in 12 games.

His consistent play has to have him on the short list of prospective forward call-ups to the NHL, especially if the Kings start to slide out of the Stanley Cup playoff picture.

The 20-year old signed a 3-year entry level contract that takes him through the 2013/2014 season.

20Feb

Dwight King(21) Los Angeles Kings

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Los Angeles Kings‘ 4th round pick in the 2007 draft (#109 overall) forward Dwight King(21) got his first NHL goal on the same night as his roommate and teammate Jordan Nolan did. He even got another point, an assist on his friend’s tally, which proved to be the game-winner.

Both players were simultaneously recalled from their AHL team, Manchester Monarchs and have now appeared in four games with the parent club.

King had skated in 6 games for L.A. last season but didn’t register any points.

He’s in the final year of his entry level contract.

13Feb

Jordan Nolan(44) Los Angeles Kings

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In his 2nd ever game, 2nd year center Jordan Nolan(44) popped in his first career NHL goal, the game-winner, in Los Angeles Kings‘ Sunday afternoon win. Welcome to the big league!

He was originally a 7th round pick in the 2009 draft (#186 overall) and this season in 40 AHL games with Manchester Monarchs has already reached career highs for goals, assists, points and penalty minutes in half the amount of time in his 2nd season with the team.

The 22-year old is a big kid at 6’3″ 227 lbs. but is still growing his game into that sized frame.

He comes from some pretty good hockey pedigree: his dad is Ted Nolan.

10Feb

Rob Mignardi(29) Houston Aeros

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It didn’t take undrafted rookie right wing Rob Mignardi(29) long to find a new AHL home after being released from his pto with Manchester Monarchs. In fact, it very well could have happened in the same day but took a day to report to the transaction wire.

He skated 23 games with them and put up 2 goals and an assist after signing a pto in December. In fact, he was part of Los Angeles Kings‘ prospect system and attended their rookie and training camps but seemingly never inked a contract with the team. He did sign with their ECHL affiliate Ontario Reign in November but did not play in a game with them before being loaned to the Monarchs for the last couple of months.

Before he could potentially board a flight to California though, Houston Aeros immediately signed him to a pto and he’ll switch to the Western Conference and look to contribute more than he was able to in New Hampshire.

At 6′ 186 lbs. he’s got good size already for a 21-year old.